Wednesday, August 05, 2009

"Pristine"


We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

Thornton Wilder

Dear, Dear Friends,

I am full of joy and yet feel so broken. My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's mercy and love that is so undeserved. What peace there is in God's unmerited favor! He is so good!

I am able to give a glowing praise report! I have felt without words today! I don't seem to have adequate phrases to praise God and thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

To the wonder of all, the heart cath was completely normal! The doctor said all was "pristine!"

We stand amazed at the work of our heavenly Father and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Weeks ago doctors thought my dear husband likely had a blockage. Just one week ago, Jeff sat in a pulmonologist's office, the leading and most respected one in our city, and was told after extensive tests he had congestive heart failure. His heart was enlarged, and all tests pointed to the diagnosis, which was expected to be confirmed by the heart cath.

But yesterday was a new day! The cardiologist declared everything totally normal!

I am so relieved, contented, thankful, joyful, and appreciative. I write with tears and peace.

To God be the glory! His name is to be praised forever! I don't understand everything, but I am full of thanksgiving, knowing God prepared this season for our lives for His purpose.

It has been a challenging time, but one not without hope. And I hope you will hear the sincerity in my heart and voice as I tell you how I am so appreciative of you all! I THANK GOD FOR YOU! My dear husband and I have both been enriched and encircled by your prayers and thoughts. And, that dear ones, is invaluable! May God bless you a hundredfold!!!

I have felt your strength and support as I stood in waiting. God's presence was so near yesterday as we anticipated word from the doctor.

In expressing these thanks, I can only hope I would have remained as faithful and true had we received a different word. They were prepared to transport Jeff to surgery for a stent or by-pass. Had such bad news awaited us, God's love and faithfulness would have remained, for He never changes!

And though it is an easy thing to speak so in hindsight, I know God is on the throne of our lives and will never fail us regardless of life's hardships.

On a closing note, I must dwell a moment on the word used by the doctor yesterday. "Pristine."

It is defined by the dictionary as something pure, uncorrupted, free from contamination, such as pure gold.

Oh, that my faith would be pristine! To receive a glowing report from God on that divine day when I see Jesus face to face! To hear the Holy Spirit whisper in earthly labor, "Andrea, your faith was pristine in this moment, like pure gold. Go, and remain so. "

Yet, for the accomplishing and remaining of pristine I am powerless without Christ. Pristine is His work, not my work! My work is to hear, to obey, to praise, to be faithful. Yet, it is solely the excellency of Jesus that refines my faith. Makes me pure. Keeps me still. Causes me comfort. Cleans my heart. Creates contentment. Makes all new.

Praise God! And thank you, thank you, again, for your part in this praise report! I love you all so very much!

In the Grace of Jesus,



30 comments:

  1. Andrea,
    Been thinking of you, praying for you. So thankful that your husband is doing better and received great news. We know that it was not a mistake. Something that I am learning that in those hard times is when I am more desperate for him and his touch. Praying to learn the lesson to praise him no matter the situation.
    Your blog lifts me up and encourages my faith. May the LORD richly bless you.
    In him,
    Laura

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  2. One Andrea to another....I lovingly say: I told you so! Our Heavenly Father is the GREAT PHYSICIAN and in complete control.
    Seriously, I am praising GOD with you!
    Andrea

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  3. Praise God. Amen! TTFN ~ Marydon

    PS Pop by my post today, please.

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  4. The physical heart is so symbolic and I'm so awestruck that healing occurred and Jeff's heart was cradled and attended to by the author of love. Wow. We have an incredible GOD!

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  5. Praise the Lord!

    Pristine...what a beautiful description...what an inspiring post....

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  6. PRAISE THE LORD AND THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!
    So happy for THIS GOOD REPORT.
    Hallelujah,
    d

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  7. Praising and rejoicing with you!

    God Bless!

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  8. Dear Andrea,

    Praise & glory be to God. He is truly always in control - we just need to keep our faith and trust in Him to guide and direct us! I am so thrilled to hear your good news and pray that your husbands health will continue to improve. Take care of yourself!

    Blessings!
    ~Nadine

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  9. Dear friend,
    I rejoice with you for this miracle of healing, for what can it be but that? When all previous tests pointed to those familiar terms to me, congestive heart failure, blockages, stent, by-pass... and then to be declared as having a heart that is "pristine"...oh dear sister, I can only but rejoice with you.

    Thank you for sharing with us, and I have no doubt that had you received another word about Jeff's physical heart, your spiritual heart would have been just as faithful.

    Love
    Lidj

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  10. Rejoicing and Praising along with you, dear Andrea!

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  11. HELLO!!!!
    Oh Praise God for all he did today and everyday!!!!He is a great God and so worthy to be praised!!! I love that word Pristine!!!! I will have to find ways to start using that!!!!
    hugs,
    jamie

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  12. How wonderful is our God, Andrea.
    I am so delighted to read your news, it is so heartening to know that the power of a mighty God over rules all else.

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  13. This good news is a great way to start a morning.God has always been faithful, in the big and very little things.Glad to hear about your husbands report.
    Blessings,Rae

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  14. Its a bit like Abraham and Isaac, you were ready to do God's will,and you stepped out in the faith that whatever He chose you would be walking with Him. That's what your posts demonstrate. Sometimes being willing is enough and God surely used your Jeff for a miracle! It happened with my Dad too, when we were children, and I saw miracles in East Africa too. Thanks be, and thank God we have an ALMIGHTY and ALL-POWERFUL God for whom miracles are feasible!!!

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  15. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!
    How wonderful, Andrea!!
    The Lord is SO good... :>)

    Many Blessings~ Jen

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  16. Andrea,
    That's wonderful news!

    And what a challenge for us. To have "pristine" lives. Hearts. Faith.

    Love.

    Sweet dreams.

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  17. Hi Andrea!
    Thank you for your dear message on my blog! You are a treasure!

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  18. All I can do is sing with you humble worship and praise of God. He is truly the Great Physician. Please remember Amelia in your prayers--1 week later, and still 103 fever this evening. The prayer of many accomplishes much.

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  19. A good word from a good friend.

    Praising God tonight for a pristine heart...

    peace~elaine

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  20. Andrea,
    I am thrilled beyond words to hear of your husband's clean bill of health. How great of our God to take the darkest of moments, filter them through His hand and allow what remains to come to us--teaching us in the process what it means to depend solely upon Him.
    This time of adversity has brought forth a testimony of God's healing and sustaining grace. Praise Him from whom all blessingws flow.
    Blessings to you and your precious hubby.

    In Grace,
    Marie

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  21. Andrea,

    I have tears of joy in my eyes as I read this!!! Praise the Lord! What wonderful and joyful news! I also love how you shared the word 'pristine' in relation to our walk of faith! Beautiful!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  22. Praising and thanking the Lord with you for He deserves all the glory and honor. What a great report.

    May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you both.

    Blessings,

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  23. "God can do things that are not possible for people to do!" Luke 18:27

    Bless you! Bless you! Bless you!

    In the midst of it all you stood firm and blessed His name...

    Rejoicing for you and with you...

    Love, Rebecca

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  24. A new day. Yes! He is a God of so many things, but of new beginnings He is Master extraordinnaire.

    I'm delighted to read of your report. I sing Hallelujah and share your joy, praising His matchless name.

    May we all share your desire for the pristine heart, the pristie faith, too. How worthy.

    Warmest prayers & hugs,
    Kathleen

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  25. Hello Andrea,

    There is a rose that goes by the name Pristine. It's the most beautiful rose I've ever seen. It's petals are the creamiest hue of whiteish pink.
    When I read your post it reminded me of the rose. Our lives are so fragile and yet when held in the palm of our Loving Father they can be strengthened and renewed!
    I'm ever so grateful that Jeff's test's came back Pristine and that God holds BOTH your hearts in His tender loving care.

    God bless and PRAISE JESUS!!!!

    xoxo Cori

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  26. I rejoice with you that you received a good report!Thank you Lord!

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  27. Standing in gratitude and awe at the power and goodness of God! Standing with new appreciation of a word I seldom use - "pristine". I know you will faithfully promote and praise the Great Physician from this time forward. To God be the glory, great things He has done!

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  28. Hello, Andrea,
    I am new to blogging and did not know of your husband's illness. I am thankful with you that he got such a wonderful report back from his doctor. Come visit me at Bunny Cottage when you have the opportunity. I pray that things continue so well with you and your husband. Vicki

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  29. Praise God for bringing His pristine healing to your husband! What a glorious report!

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Thank you for visiting. I cherish your thoughts. You are special to me, but most of all, you are special to God, who loves you with everlasting love. May your life be swept into His joy and peace.

In the Wonderful Love of Christ our Savior,

Andrea